The Car Search Blog

Ford yesterday in advance of the Auto Show in Detroit presents the Ford Focus Electric. The vehicle is to be introduced in the second half of 2012 in North America and comes to Europe. With technical details of the Ford holds back a bit. Thus, the range is specified for the time being to be sufficient for daily driving habits "normal U.S. and European users. What is certain is that coupled with a 1-speed electric motor is designed for a speed of 136 mph.

A complete charge cycle of articles for the American market models will accept a 240-volt charging station only three to four hours. supplied as standard is a 120-volt cable for the household connection. An intelligent energy management based on Microsoft also charges the battery just to request if the current is very cheap.

During operations, Ford relies on modern electronic communication. The driver is informed not only on the charge of the lithium ion battery, the available range and the distance to the nearest charging station, it learns as well as the current consumption of the air conditioning affects the rest of the range. In the form of stylized butterflies shows the right display in the instrument panel the efficient or less efficient use of the automobile to. As another example, the data obtained by the new brake energy regeneration kilometers and displayed by the electric drive saved liters of fuel. Navigation is also designed to the specific requirements of an electric vehicle, and warns, among other things, if it is critical to achieve the target with the remaining residual energy. The system then recommends where appropriate, a more fuel-efficient "eco" route.

In North America can own a Ford Focus Electric wealth of information about your phone or mobile call from a distance, such as a message to terminate the charging process or the current status of range.

The basic equipment of the Ford Focus Electric has 17-inch wheels, Audi conditioning, navigation system with voice control, KeyFree-start function and a split folding backrest. Ford builds the Focus Electric, first in Wayne, Michigan. The local plant derives some of its electricity from one of the largest solar power plants in the country. Where are the European units will be manufactured will be decided in the coming days. (Ampnet / jri)